Habs Sign Alexander Semin

The Carolina Hurricanes are paying Alexander Semin $14 million over the next six years not to play hockey for them.  Obviously, they think they are a better team without him, than with him.

The Montreal Canadiens disagree and signed the Russian enigma to a one-year, $1.1 million dollar contract today.  Most Habs fans seem pretty happy with the transaction.

Our friends at Habs Eyes On The Prize have a poll up and 86% are responding positively so far.

During his press conference today he was quoted as saying he had a bad season last year and he did not play well.

When asked what happened last year he replied that he didn't know.  "I had surgery in the summer....I'm moving forward."

Semin scored a career low six goals last season.

Carolina management pretty much threw the winger under the bus less than a month ago when they bought him out.  Peter Karmanos called him a "distraction" and Ron Francis said that he was not playing the game the "right way".

While the player took the high road and did not offer any criticism for the Hurricanes or their staff, his agent said a bit more in a report by Pro Hockey Talk on NBCSports.com last night.

Mark Gandler, who represents Semin told Sovsport.ru that "the Hurricanes coach did not understand Sasha's game".

The Russian certainly looked lost out on the ice at times last season but also did not look to be putting forth 100% effort at other times.

Canadiens and Hurricanes games will certainly be more interesting than usual next season!